I have no idea how many times and how many people have been told to learn their basics if they want to further themselves in the craft. The upside to this is the simple question of "what are the bascis?". Well I'll do my best to provide a list of things to learn, skills to work on mastering and other little tid bits.
Grounding
Grounding is used to rid yourself of excess or unwanted energies. It is used to centre and focus yourself and your energy. It has some common ground with meditation but it is NOT the same thing. There are some wonderful excercises available online to help a person learning to ground. This is the very first skill and an ABSOLUTE must if you have any desire to practice the craft at all.
Days Of The Week
Every day of the week has a magcial correspondance to it. Learn them. Google is your friend.
The Hours
Every Hour has a magical correspondance as well. Again, google is your friend.
Colors
Every color has a magical correspondance to it and a meaning to it. Google. By the way...Magcik itself does not have a color. MAGICK JUST IS. It is the intent of the practictioner that makes "colors" it.
Circle Casting
Casting a circle is a pretty easy thing. That is if you are going in the right DIRECTION. That's right...Direction. Go clockwise to bring in, counter clockwise to cast out.
Stones/Crystals/Gemstones
Every stone, crystal and gemstone has it's own magical properties and powers. Besides..who doesn't like shiney things?
Tools
There are many tools that are used in the craft. They will vary between Traditions and so forth, but they are tools and you should know what they are used for.
Oils/Incense
Oils and insence have been used by so many cultures and through out the ages. Again, each of them has their own properties and uses.
Moon Phases
Ah, the Moon. Each phase of the moon has it's own correspondance and meanings. Go to www.lunarium.com for a kick a$$ lunar calendar for where you live.
I know that I've missed some things, so if anybody wants to add on to this please feel free.
-_- I learned it all.. and forgot it all.. hahahah.. only relevant things stayed with me.. O_O well.. of what I do anyways.. ^_^ it is good to learn all the basics.. but it is more important what area are you going to fall in it.. since all knowledge is forgotten if not interesting for the student.. O_O... Meditation is the best option.. from there all comes.
Circle casting - the correct way to cast is to go deosil which means to follow the sun - here in the southern hemisphere that is anticlockwise and to close you go Widdershins - which means against the sun.
Thank you LadyBlkHawk for posting this. I consider myself new to the craft. I can do candle magik and circle casting,and a few other things. What you posted made so much sense to me as I'm sure to others as well.